Control system for fillers



Aug. 29, 1944. R. B. McKlNNl-s I 'CONTROL SYSTEM FOR FILLERS Filed March 12, 1941 4 sheets-sheet 1 Aug.l 29, 1944. R. B. McKlNNls CONTROL SYSTEM FOR FILLERS K Filed March 12, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 A ug. 29, 1944.

R. B. MCKINNIS 'CONTROL SYSTEM FOR FILLERS Filed March 12, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Aug. 29, 1944.-

R. B. McKlNNls 2,357,013 CONTROL SYSTEM FOR FILLERS Filed March 12, 1941l 4 sheets-sheet 4 Patented Aug. 29, 1944 CONTROL SYSTEM FOR FILLERS Ronald B. McKinnis, Winter Haven, Fla., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Ronald B. McKinnis, doing business as McKinnis Foods, Winter Haven, F1a.

Application March 12, 1941, Serial No. 383,045

8 Claims.

My invention relates to methods and apparatus for lling containers. The invention is particularly adapted for lling containers with liquids while preventing oxidation of the liquids, though the invention is not to be limited solely to operations of this nature. v

In those cases in which liquids which are easily oxidized are filled into containers, particular precautions have to be exercised ,to prevent oxidation, and it is one of the objects of this invention to provide systems and apparatus for con?V trol of the lling of containers to prevent oxidation of the liquid. The old style bottom ller mechanisms have been found to be somewhat complicated and slow in operation. The present inventions contemplate illing from the top of the container, the container remaining open during the lling operation, yet by reason of proper blanketing of the surface of the liquid during the filling operation either with inert gas or steam, or some other uid, oxidation is prevented. Among the types of liquid which are very sensitive to oxidation may be classed the juices of citrus fruit, such as oranges, and other fruit and vegetable juices.

In the system which I employ I control the operation of iilling so that the open container is subjected to a blast of inert gas or steam to force out atmospheric air. After a predetermined interval of time this blast of blanketing iiuid is followed by the .introduction of a stream of the liquid, such as orange juice, the liquid being enclosed in a tube of moving inert gas or steam. Among the inert gases I may employ are nitrogen, carbon dioxide, a mixture of thetwo, or other inert gases.

In addition to the objects above indicated, another object of my invention is to provide a simple control system which is easy to operate and positive in action, and which will ll the cans to a desired depth so that the top edge. of the can in effect becomes the gauge by which is determined the amount of liquid permitted to flow into the can. Thus variations in can sizes can be filled while still maintaining a constant head space in all cans.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple valve construction which is positive in operation and easy to clean, repair and replace.

With these and other object in View, which may be incident to my improvements, the invention consists in the parts and combinations to be hereinafter set forth and claimed, with the understanding that the several necessary elements comprising my invention may be Varied in construction, proportions and arrangements, without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

In order to make my invention more clearly understood, I have shown in the accompanying drawings means for carrying the same into practical eiect without limiting the improvements in their useful applications to the particular constructions which, for the purpose of explanation, have been made the subject of illustration.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical, transverse, sectional view through the valves;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line of Fig. l, looking in thedirection of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical circuit for operation of the Valves; t

Fig. 6 is a vertical, transverse, sectional view partly broken away of a modied valve arrangement; and

Fig. I is a wiring diagram of the electrical circuit for operation of the valves Ashown in Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawings I have shown a valve mechanism indicated generally by the numeral l, which is adapted to control the liquid which is fed to the containers, such as cans. I have generally indicated by the numeral 2 a valve mechanism for the control of a blanketing fluid, such as steam or inert gas, which isadapted to blanket the liquid during the lling operation. The valve I has a valve body 3 which has a centrally bored screw-threaded extension 4 thereon, through which juice is fed to the central aperture 5 of the valve body 3. The extension 4 is attached to a juice pipe 6 through which sterile unoxidized juice is adapted to be fed from some suitable source of supply, not shown. An interiorly screw-threaded coupling, indicated generally by the numeral 6', joins the extension 4 to the juice conduit 6. A cleaning aperture 1 is provided in the valve body 3 which is adapted to be closed by a screw cap 8.

The valve 2 is provided with a body 9 which is provided with an extension I0 which is eXteriorly screw-threaded, having an exteriorly screwthreaded nipple Il to which is adapted to be attached a conduit for steam or inert gas. The extension 4 of valve body 3 and the extension I0 of valve body 9 are adapted to t into holding apertures formed in a bracket I2 formed on a frame I3 of the valve supporting mechanism. The extension 4 is held in place by means of a holding nut I4 while the extension I9 is held inplace by a nut I5.

Attached to the upper side of the valve body 3 is a vertical sleeve I6 which is held to the valve body 3 by means of holding screws I1 which eX- tend through flange I8 of the sleeve I6. Between the ange I-8 of the sleeve I6 and the top 0f the valve body 3 is held la Neoprene diaphragm I9. The Neoprene diaphragm I9 is held between a valve closer and a valve stem 2|. The valve closer 20 is provided with a head 22 carrying a conical face 23 which is adapted to lie against the conical aperture 24 formed in the lower portion of the valve body 3. The valve stem 2l is attached to an armature 25 of a solenoid mechanism indicated generally by the numeral 26. The armature 25 is adapted to slide in a solenoid barrel 21 `carried in a cup-shaped solenoid cover 28. The upper movement of the armature 25 is limited by means of a set screw mechanism, indicated generally by the numeral 29. The solenoid 26 is'provided with the usual solenoid winding 30 which upon being energized is adapted to raise the armature 25, and hence raises the valve closer 20 to open the Valve. The Neoprene diaphragm prevents any liquid in the valve body 3 from coming in contact with the solenoid and itsimmediately associated parts. The cup-shaped cover 28 is screw-threaded on to a iiange 3| formed on the sleeve I6.

The valve body 3 is provided with a threaded boss 32 on which is screwed a steam or inert'l gas nozzle 33 having a reduced portion 34. This nozzle 33 surrounds a nozzle 35 which is screwthreaded into the valve body 3, and which communicates with the interior of the valve body 3. The nozzle 35 is a liquid nozzle, which is adapted to discharge the juice into a can or container. The nozzle 33 is a nozzle for steam or inert gas, which is adapted to discharge a blanketing layer of fluid into the can around the juice entering the can.

The valve 2 is normally closed, with the parts in the position shown in Figures 1 and 2. -The vertical sleeve I6 is provided with a slot 36 having mounted therein a pivot pin 31 on which is pivoted a lever 38 which has a lost motion slot 39 in one end. This lost motion slot fits over a trunnion 40 formed on the valve stem 2l. To urge the valve closer 29 into the down position, a spring 4I is provided which is attached to a supporting screw 42 mounted on the cup-shaped cover 28 of the solenoid 26. The other end of the spring 4I is attached at 43 t0 the lever 38. This tends to hold the valve closer in the position shown in Figures l and 2,. The lever 38 is provided with a pivot pin 44 which is adapted to fit in a lost motion slot 45 formed in a link member 46 which is pivotally joined at 41 to an operating rod 48 which is mounted for reciprocal motion in a support member 49 attached to the valve body 3. The operating rod 48 is attached to an insulating block 50 which is adapted to carry shut-off electrodes 5 I.

'I'he block 59 is attached to the operating rod 48 through nuts 52 and 53 mounted on the operating rod 48. Above, the nut 53 is mounted a cup-shaped spring receiver 54 in which the end of a compression spring 55 is mounted. The other end of the compression spring 55 is adapted t0 rest in an aperture 56 formed on the under side of the support 49.

The details of the shut-off electrode construction are shown in Figure 4. The insulating block is shown made in two pieces. Each of the electrodes 5I is provided with screw-threads 51 and knurled heads 58 so that the distance which the tips of the electrodes protrude below the surface of the block 50 can be regulated. Electrical contact is made with the electrodes 5I through T-shaped sleeves 59 set into the interior of the block 50. Each of the T-shaped sleeves 59 carries a binding post 60 through which connection is made to a winding 6I of a relay 62, which will be later described in detail.

It is to be noted that in the lowermost position of the block 50 it is adapted to rest on the rim 63 of a can 64 into which the juice is adapted to be filled. The tips of the electrodes` 5I can be made of tantalum, or any other metal which does not oxidize readily, and which is not subject to electrolytic decomposition.

The valve construction 2, which is adapted to control the ilow of the steam or inert gas for blanketing the juice has a valve body 9, as has been previously indicated. This valve body 9 is provided with a central aperture 65. At the lower end of the valve is a threaded nipple 66 which, through a suitable coupling 61, is attached to a steam or inert gas pipe 68 which in turn, through a suitable coupling 69, is attached to a nipple 19 whose central aperture communicates with the interior of the steam or inert gas nipple 33 that surrounds the juice discharge nipple 35, as has been previously described.

Mounted on the upper surface of the valvebody 9 is a sleeve 1I having a ange 12. Between the ange 12 and the top of the body 9, by means of screws (not shown) is held a Neoprene diaphragm 13, similar in construction to the Neoprene diaphragm I9. There is provided a valve closer 14 similar to the valve closer 20. The valve closer 14 is provided with a conical head 15 which ts into the conical aperture formed in the bottom of the valve body 9. The valve closer 14 is attached to a valve stern 16, and in turn the valve stem 16 is attached to an armature 11 which is adapted to slide in a solenoid barrel 18 of a solenoid, indicated generally by the numeral 19. The solenoid 19 is provided with a solenoid winding 80. A cup-shaped cover 8| for the solenoid is held in place by being screwed over a screwthreaded flange 82 formed on the sleeve 1I.

The armature 11 is urged into its down position by means of a compression spring 83, one end of which rests on the top surface of the armature 11, and the other end of which bears against the inner surface of an extension 84 made in the cupshaped cover 8l. A set screw, indicated generally by the numeral 85, limits the upper movement of the armature 11. The spring 83 urges the armature 11 into` its lowermost position in which the valve is normally closed.

Referring to Figure 5 I have shown a control system for providing for the operation of the lling cycle. In general the filling cycle comprises iirst the purging step in which steam or inert gas is` discharged in a blast into the open receptacle 64 and atmospheric air is discharged or purged from the open receptacle 64. Next, the lling step is started in which juice is discharged in a stream into the receptacle, the

juice being blanketed by a tube of inert gas or steam. The system disclosed in Figure 5 is adapted to carry out this cycle.

I have shown two electrical conductors and |0 which are adapted to carry, for instance, 110 volt current. In addition, two conductors |05 and |06 are adapted to carry a current of reduced voltage, for instance, 12 volts. The shutoff electrodes are carried in a circuit |01 which is adapted to be closed when the liquid surface |08 rises to the proper height in the container 64. The circuit |01 is connected at |09 to a conductor |06 and at ||0 to a conductor |05. In the circuit |01 is the coil 6| of the shutoff relay 62. The shut-olf relay 62 comprises an armature which is adapted normally to be in the position shown in Figure 5, i. e., in the normally closed position. Through the armature and a lead ||2 connected to the conductor |06 circuit is closed to a lead ||`3 which carries one contact ||4 of a starting switch construction, and one contact ||5 of a valve relay, indicated generally by the numeral ||6.

The valve relay ||6 is normally open, as indicated in Figure 5, and comprises a double arm switch ||1 having a maintain arm ||8 and an energizing circuit arm |I9. The maintain arm ||8 of the switch ||1 is connected to a lead |20 which carries a contact |2| which lies adjacent the contact ||4 in the startingswitch arrangement which I have indicated generally by the numeral |22. In the line |20 is an enlarging coil |23 of the Valve relay ||6. The energizing coil |23 is adapted to move the double arm switch ||1.

, Adapted to contact the arm ||9 of the valve relay switch ||1 in its closed position is a contact |24 which is connected to a lead |25 that connects with the winding 80 of the solenoid 2. The winding 00 Vof the solenoid 19 is connected toa lead |26 which connects to the electrical main |00. v

. Connected to the lead |25 is a lead |21 which is also connected to the line |26 through a Winding |28 of a thermal switch, indicated generally byV the numeral |29, which is provided With a movable thermal element |30 which upon actuation is adapted to close its Contact |3| with a contact |32 connected through a lead |33 to the contact |24'.

The movable element |30 of the thermal switch |29 is connected through the lead |34 to line |26. In thev lead |34 is the solenoid winding 30 of the solenoid 26.

In operation the receptacle or can 64 is placed underneath the valve assembly in the position shown in Figures 1 andZ. The starting switch |22 is operated, which closes the circuit between contacts |2| and ||4. This energizes the coil |23 which moves the double pole switch ||1 to cause arm ||9 to contact the contact |24 and maintain arm ||8 to contact the contact H5. Circuit is thus closed by the maintain arm H0 to maintain the current in the winding |23, and thus maintain the switch ||1 in the closed position. In such closed position current flows through the winding |28 of the thermal switch |29 and through the Winding 80 of the solenoid 19. Thus the steam or inert gas valve is opened, for the valve closer 14 is raised against the tension of the spring 83 and steam or inert gas is discharged downwardly into the container 64.

In the meantime the thermal switch |29 is becoming heated through the coil |28 and the movable element |30 is under the actuation of the rise of temperature causing contact |3| to approach contact |32. After a predetermined time contact |3| makes contact with contact |32,

and this closes the circuit through the arm I9 of the switch |1 through lead |33,'contact |32, contact |3|, movable member |30, lead |34, and Winding 3|)v of solenoid 26 to the line |26. The solenoid 26 is therefore operated to -move the armature 25 into the up position and to thus move the valve closer 20 into the up position and open the juice valve.

By the above system the valve 2, controlling the flow of steam or inert gas, is `opened first to purge the container .64 of air by completely lling it with steam or inert gas. After a sufficient time interval for this purging operation, which may be controlled by adjustment of the thermal switch |29, the juice valve is opened to admit juice to the container.

The stream of juice from the nozzle 35 flows into the container surrounded by a sleeve of steam or inert gas flowing from the jacket 35 and rises in the container under a blanket of the steam or gas therein. The inert gas or steam lies on top of'the rising liquid in the container 64 and prevents access of oxygen to the juice. There will be a considerable quantity of steam or inert gas which will findy its Way in bubbles below the surface of the juice, but since this material is entirely non-oxidizing no deleterious effects will be obtained. In fact the foam on the surface of the juice as it rises in the can also tends to blanket the main body of the juice from oxidation.

The surface of the juice rises in the can to a point such as is illustrated in Figure 1, where l the circut is closed through the shut-off electrodes 5| by reason of the completion of the circuit through the body of the juice itself. Then coil 6| of the shut-off relay 62 is energized and this attracts the^armature I|| of the shut-01T relay, opening the circuit. This de-energizes coil |23, and the normally open valve relay switch ||1 opens, thus breaking the circuit through winding 30 of the juice valve solenoid, and also opening the circuitY through the winding of the steam or gas valve solenoid. Springs then return the solenoid armatures to the lowermost position, as shown in Figure 2, and the iiow of juice and steam or inert gas is stopped.

It is to be noted that the insulating block 50,`

during the filling of the can with the liquid, rests on the upper rim 63 of the' can. This gives a constant height to the juice in the filled can, since cans of different height may be employed,

butthe regulation of the height of the liquid in all cans is dependent on the amount that the shut-off electrodes project beyond the bottom surface of the block 50.

In Figure 6 I have shown an alternate form of valve construction. In this form of construction I have a single operating solenoid to operate both valves. The valve admitting the blanketing fluid, such as steam or inert gas, is adapted to operate mechanically at a definite time interval, previous to the operation of the liquid valve.

Referring to Figure 6, I have shown a support 200 on the top of which is carried a solenoid casing 20| having a solenoid barrel 202 held within the solenoid casing 20| by means of a nut 203. The solenoid is provided with a solenoid winding 204. Adapted to slide in the solenoid barrel 202 is an armature 205. The solenoid armature 205 is pivoted at 206 to a link 201 which is pivoted at 208 to an operating arm 209. The pivot at 208 is at an off center position on the operating arm 209, the pivot 208 being closer to the blanketing fluid valve 2 than it is to the liquid or juice valve I.

The closer 'I4 of the blanketing fluid valve 2 is attached to the valve stem 'I6 which is provided with a pin 2I0, over which is adapted to iit a slot 2 I I formed in the operating arm 209. The valve stem 'I6 and valve closer 'I4 are urged in the down or closed position by means of a compression spring 2 I 2 whose upper end bears against the inner upper surface of a valve cap 2I3 suitably attached to the valve body 9 by means of screws (not shown).

The opposite end of the operating arm 209 is provided with a slot 2I4 which ts over a pin 2I5 carried by the valve stem 2| of the valve I. The valve stem 2l is urged into the down position by means of a compression spring 2 I6 whose upper end bears against a valve cap 2I`I which is held to the valve body by means of screws (not shown). The spring 2I6 may overbalance the spring 2I2.

Positioned respectively above the valve stem 2I and above the valve stem 'I6 are adjustable stop members 2I8 and 2I9. Each of these members comprises a downwardly projecting lug 220 formed on the body of the support 200. Each lug 220 is provided with interior screw threads 22| into which are adapted to be fitted screws 222. Lock nuts 223 are adapted to hold the screws 222 in any adjusted position. Each of these assemblies just described comprises an adjustable stop for limiting the upper movement of the valve stems respectively of the valves I and 2.

In operation upon energization of the solenoid coil 204 the armature 205 is raised. Because of the 01T center mounting of the pivot 208 the valve stem 'I5 of valve 2 is raised, admitting steam or inert gas under pressure to the can being filled.

Upon contact of the upper end of the valve stem 'I6 with the adjustable stop 2I9, the further movement of the solenoid armature 205 raises the valve stem 2| of the valve I, thus permitting liquid, such as citrus fruit juice, to flow into the receptacle being filled.

Because of the construction of the valve assembly just described, there is a definite predetermined time interval between the discharge of theblanketing fluid and the discharge of the iilling liquid.

The circuit for controlling the combination valve assembly just described in connection with Figure 6 is somewhat more simple than is the circuit previously described.

Reference is made to Figure 7 wherein a circuit similar to that shown in Figure is illustrated, except that the thermal switch is eliminated. Only one solenoid is employed instead of a solenoid for the steam or gas valve and a separate solenoid for the juice valve. The single solenoid for operating both valves is illustrated at 204 of Figure 7. The remainder of the-circuit is similar to that shown in Figure 5 and a detailed description of such circuit is not believed to be necessary for a thorough understanding of the invention.

My process and apparatus permit of thorough purging of the cans and the introduction of nonoXidized liquid into the cans, iilling them from the top and using open cans. This greatly facilitates the filling, shortening the process and saving time, and reducing the expense of the filling operation.

I desire that my invention `be limited only by the showing of the prior art and the scope of the appended claims.

CII

I claim:

-1. A control system for filling containers with liquid while blanketing the liquid with a blanketing fluid comprising a fluid valve for controlling flow of blanketing fluid, a liquid valve for controlling flow of the liquid, a solenoid energizable for opening the fluid valve, a solenoid energizable for opening the liquid valve, a source of electrical energy, a circuit for connecting said source With the solenoids, a starting switch for closing the circuit to energize the solenoid for the fluid valve, and delayed action means in the circuit to energizethe solenoid for the liquid valve a predetermined interval of time after the closing of the starting switch.

2. A control system for lling containers withV liquid while blanketing the liquid with a blanketing fluid comprising a uid valve for controlling flow of blanketing fluid, a liquid valve for controlling now of the liquid, a solenoid energizable for opening the nuid valve, a solenoid energizable for opening the liquid valve, a source of electrical energy, a circuit for connecting said source with the solenoids, a starting switch for closing the circuit to energize the solenoid for the fluid valve, and a thermal switch in the circuit to energize the solenoid for the liquid valve a predetermined interval of time after the closing of the starting switch.

3. A control system for filling containers with liquid while blanketing the liquid with a blanketing fluid comprising a nuid valve for controlling now of blanketing iiuid, a liquid valve for controlling flow of the liquid, a solenoid energizable for opening the iiuid valve, a solenoid energizable for opening the liquid valve, a source of electrical energy, a cir-cuit for connecting said source with the solenoids, a starting switch for closing the circuit to energize the solenoid for the uid Valve, delayed action means in the circuit to energize the solenoid for the liquid valve a predetermined interval of time after the closing of the starting switch, and means for de-energizing both solenoids when liquid in a container has reached a predetermined level.

4. A control system for filling containers with liquid while blanketing the liquid With a blanketing fluid comprising a iiuid valve for controlling flow of blanketing fluid, a liquid valve for controlling flow of the liquid, a solenoid energizable for opening the iiuid valve, a solenoid energizable for opening the liquid valve, a source of electrical energy, a circuit for connecting said source with the solenoids, a starting switch for closing the circuit to energize the solenoid for the fluid valve, a thermal switch in the circuit to energize the solenoid for the liquid valve a predetermined interval of time after the closing of the starting switch, and means for de-energizing both solenoids when liquid in a container has reached a predetermined level.

5. A control system for lling containers with liquid while blanketing the liquid with a blanketing iiuid comprising a fluid valve for controlling now of blanketing uid, a liquid valve for controlling flow of the liquid, a solenoid energizable for opening the fluid valve, a solenoid en-A ergizable for opening the liquid'valve, a source of electrical energy, `a circuit for connecting said sourcev with the solenoids, a starting switch for closing the circuit to energize the solenoid for the fluid valve, delayed action means in the circuit to energize the solenoid for the liquid valve a. predetermined interval of time after the closing of the starting switch, shut-off electrodes adapted to have the circuit closed between them by the surface of the liquid in the container, and means operated by the closing of the circuit through the` shut-off electrodes to de-energize both solenoids.

6. A control system for filling containers with liquid while blanketing the liquid with a blanketing uid comprising a fluid valve for controlling flow of blanketing fluid, a liquid valve for controlling flow of the liquid, a solenoid energizable for opening the fluid valve, a solenoid energizable for opening the liquid valve, a source of electrical energy, a circuit for connecting said source with the solenoids, a starting switch for closing the circuit to energize the solenoid for the fluid valve, a thermal switch in the circuitc to energize the solenoid for the liquid valve a predetermined interval of time after the closing of the starting switch, shut-off electrodes adapted to have the circuit closed between them by the surface of the liquid in the container, and means operated by the closing of the circuit through the shut-off electrodes to de-energize' both solenoids.

7. A control system for filling containers with liquid while blanketing the liquid with a blanketing iiuid comprising a iluid valve for controlling flow of blanketing fluid, a liquid valve for controlling flow of the liquid, a solenoid energizable for opening the fiuid valve, a solenoid energizable for opening the liquid valve, a source of electrical energy, a circuit for connecting said source with the solenoids, a. starting switch for closing the cir-cuit to energize the solenoid for the fluid valve, delayed action means in the circuit to energize the solenoid for the liquid Valve a predetermined interval of time after the closing of the starting switch, shut-off electrodes adapted to have the circuit closed between them by the surface of the liquid in the container, and a shutoir relay normally closed which is opened by the closing of the circuit through the shut-off electrodes to de-energize both solenoids.

8. A control system for filling containers with liquid while blanketing the liquid with a blanketing fluid comprising a fluid valve for controlling ow of blanketing uid, a liquid valve for controlling ow of the liquid, a solenoid energizable for opening the uid valve, a solenoid energizable for opening the liquid valve, a source of electrical energy, a circuit for connecting said source with the solenoids, a starting switch for closing the circuit to energize the solenoid for the fluid valve, a thermal switch in the circuit to energize the solenoid for the liquid valve a predetermined interval of time after the closing of the starting switch, shut-on' electrodes adapted to have the 'circuit closed between them by the surface of the liquid in the container, and

4a shut-oil? relay normally closed which is opened by the closing of the circuit through the shut-off electrodes to de-energize both solenoids.

RONALD B. MCKINNIS. 

